Even during the open-world genre’s earliest days when developers were forced to rely on smoke and mirrors to make their visions come to life, the very concept of open-world gaming always felt like the future of the medium. The idea of being left to your own devices in a massive digital world where nearly anything was possible was one of those things we used to only be able to dream about. Now, you find variations of that concept in many of the best modern blockbuster titles.
“Variations” is certainly a word worth keeping in mind when you’re thinking about the history of open-world games and what separates the good ones from the bad ones and great ones. Conventional wisdom once told us that open-world games would only get better as technology improved and the size of those worlds grew. While that has sometimes been the case, there are...
“Variations” is certainly a word worth keeping in mind when you’re thinking about the history of open-world games and what separates the good ones from the bad ones and great ones. Conventional wisdom once told us that open-world games would only get better as technology improved and the size of those worlds grew. While that has sometimes been the case, there are...
- 10/9/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
WWE Nxt superstar Tiffany Stratton. Pic credit: @tiffanywwe/Instagram
Wrestling star Tiffany Stratton, real name Jessica Woynilko, is enjoying the remaining days of summer as she poses in a skimpy bikini for her social media.
The 23-year-old WWE Nxt superstar wore a tiny leopard-print bikini as she stood with one hand behind her head and the other near her hip.
Just behind her was what looked to be a massive waterfall as the backdrop, although she may have posed in front of a screen to create the unique scene.
She shared two photos in an Ig carousel post, the first featuring her looking away from the camera and the second with her staring toward the viewer.
“Summer glow,” Tiffany wrote in her post’s caption as she basks in the warm season before fall and cooler temperatures arrive.
That led to many Likes and comments from Tiffany’s fans and followers,...
Wrestling star Tiffany Stratton, real name Jessica Woynilko, is enjoying the remaining days of summer as she poses in a skimpy bikini for her social media.
The 23-year-old WWE Nxt superstar wore a tiny leopard-print bikini as she stood with one hand behind her head and the other near her hip.
Just behind her was what looked to be a massive waterfall as the backdrop, although she may have posed in front of a screen to create the unique scene.
She shared two photos in an Ig carousel post, the first featuring her looking away from the camera and the second with her staring toward the viewer.
“Summer glow,” Tiffany wrote in her post’s caption as she basks in the warm season before fall and cooler temperatures arrive.
That led to many Likes and comments from Tiffany’s fans and followers,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Matt Couden
- Monsters and Critics
You probably read Emily’s column yesterday. It was all about the Baltimore Comic-Con. You’ll probably read Martha’s column Friday. It is all about the Baltimore Comic-Con. And, damn, I wouldn’t be surprised if John’s Sunday column is all about the Baltimore Comic-Con as well. This is because ComicMix invaded the place.
Emily, Martha, John and I were joined by fellow ComicMixers Glenn Hauman, Ed Catto, Bob Ingersoll, Robert Greenberger and Evelyn Kriete, all in a combined effort to make Adriane Nash feel bad that she missed a big one. I believe Nelson Muntz said it best: Ha-ha!
But I’m not here today to talk about the Baltimore Comic-Con. I’m here to talk about something that happened at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Something that Hilarie Staton captured in the photograph that (hopefully) appears above. Something that Baltimore Comic-Con’s official photog, Bruce Guthrie, also captured but,...
Emily, Martha, John and I were joined by fellow ComicMixers Glenn Hauman, Ed Catto, Bob Ingersoll, Robert Greenberger and Evelyn Kriete, all in a combined effort to make Adriane Nash feel bad that she missed a big one. I believe Nelson Muntz said it best: Ha-ha!
But I’m not here today to talk about the Baltimore Comic-Con. I’m here to talk about something that happened at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Something that Hilarie Staton captured in the photograph that (hopefully) appears above. Something that Baltimore Comic-Con’s official photog, Bruce Guthrie, also captured but,...
- 9/30/2015
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
By Anjelica Oswald
Managing Editor
The conversation surrounding potential supporting actress nominees includes some names familiar to the Oscar race, such as Meryl Streep (Into the Woods), and some that could be nominated for the first time, such as Emma Stone (Birdman). The list of potential contenders also includes Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) and Rene Russo (Nightcrawler), two ladies that have flown under the radar since the 90s but could mark their return with first-time Oscar nominations.
Arquette’s role as the mother in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, a film that chronicles 12 years in a young boy’s (played by Ellar Coltrane) life as he grows up in a divorced household, has been generating Oscar buzz since the film premiered at Sundance. Arquette was involved in a few projects during those 12 years of filming, which was possible due to the sporadic nature of shooting, only three to four days a year.
Managing Editor
The conversation surrounding potential supporting actress nominees includes some names familiar to the Oscar race, such as Meryl Streep (Into the Woods), and some that could be nominated for the first time, such as Emma Stone (Birdman). The list of potential contenders also includes Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) and Rene Russo (Nightcrawler), two ladies that have flown under the radar since the 90s but could mark their return with first-time Oscar nominations.
Arquette’s role as the mother in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, a film that chronicles 12 years in a young boy’s (played by Ellar Coltrane) life as he grows up in a divorced household, has been generating Oscar buzz since the film premiered at Sundance. Arquette was involved in a few projects during those 12 years of filming, which was possible due to the sporadic nature of shooting, only three to four days a year.
- 10/7/2014
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
It’s time for the Winter Olympics! That special time every four years where the world tunes in to watch athletes from all over compete for medals. I myself am reminded that perhaps I should take up running or some form of exercise other than getting up to grab myself a new book to read. Until that fateful day however, I bring to you this list of six comic book characters that were involved in the Olympics in one form or another.
Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.
First on the list is Jon Sable. A now freelance mercenary who previously was an athlete in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. After having witnessed the terrorist outrages in the Munich games, he married a fellow athlete and moved to Rhodesia. Becoming a game warden and a tourist guide for safari tours. Unfortunately however, life did not go so simply...
Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.
First on the list is Jon Sable. A now freelance mercenary who previously was an athlete in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. After having witnessed the terrorist outrages in the Munich games, he married a fellow athlete and moved to Rhodesia. Becoming a game warden and a tourist guide for safari tours. Unfortunately however, life did not go so simply...
- 2/21/2014
- by Nikki Lyka
- Comicmix.com
Please read last week’s article before this final installment.
Maybe, just maybe Grell wouldn’t ask me. I mean he had yet to speak one single word to me in the two plus hours I was in his room.
No such luck. After Grell asked everyone in the room he turned to me.
“What did you think?”
All I had to do was lie. Why didn’t I? I didn’t because lying to me is never an option. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because I think lying is such a terrible thing, it’s because I have a horrible short-term memory. I’ll never be able to support a lie once I’ve committed to it.
In other words, if I lie about something and the subject ever comes up again I won’t remember what I said originally.
“It’s not like me to...
Maybe, just maybe Grell wouldn’t ask me. I mean he had yet to speak one single word to me in the two plus hours I was in his room.
No such luck. After Grell asked everyone in the room he turned to me.
“What did you think?”
All I had to do was lie. Why didn’t I? I didn’t because lying to me is never an option. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because I think lying is such a terrible thing, it’s because I have a horrible short-term memory. I’ll never be able to support a lie once I’ve committed to it.
In other words, if I lie about something and the subject ever comes up again I won’t remember what I said originally.
“It’s not like me to...
- 10/11/2011
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Please take a look at last week’s installment before continuing on…
As I said, I’ve had a very interesting career in comics.
Denys Cowan and I were biding time until the premier of Mike Grell’s Jon Sable series on television. I’d been invited to watch it in Mike Grell’s hotel room and I invited Denys.
We were wandering around the 1987 Mid Ohio Con and I was on Cloud 9 thanks to John Ostrander, who issued the invite. While Denys was looking at comics at a retailer booth I moseyed over to a creator’s booth. As I mentioned before I talk to everyone and the thought of looking at someone’s work while they stand there and watch me look at their work is just crazy to me.
So, being me, I started asking questions about the copies of what looked like a quickly Xeroxed...
As I said, I’ve had a very interesting career in comics.
Denys Cowan and I were biding time until the premier of Mike Grell’s Jon Sable series on television. I’d been invited to watch it in Mike Grell’s hotel room and I invited Denys.
We were wandering around the 1987 Mid Ohio Con and I was on Cloud 9 thanks to John Ostrander, who issued the invite. While Denys was looking at comics at a retailer booth I moseyed over to a creator’s booth. As I mentioned before I talk to everyone and the thought of looking at someone’s work while they stand there and watch me look at their work is just crazy to me.
So, being me, I started asking questions about the copies of what looked like a quickly Xeroxed...
- 10/4/2011
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
I’ve had a very interesting career in comics.
I’ve done some pretty interesting things in my career. Co-founded Milestone Media, created The Action Files, the only line of comics taught as a curriculum in the school system and created another universe, The Guardian Line, for African-American churches and Christian book stores.
When DC comics launched Piranha Press in 1987 I was the artist chosen to illustrate the first series for the line. The Black Panel, a comics and entertainment forum I started over a decade ago, is now in development as a TV show as is The Littlest Bitch (Tlb) a book I co-wrote with David Quinn.
David and I first conceived Tlb as a graphic novel on the New Jersey turnpike almost 20 years ago. We were driving home from The Kubert School where I was teaching a master illustration class and David was my guest speaker that day.
I’ve done some pretty interesting things in my career. Co-founded Milestone Media, created The Action Files, the only line of comics taught as a curriculum in the school system and created another universe, The Guardian Line, for African-American churches and Christian book stores.
When DC comics launched Piranha Press in 1987 I was the artist chosen to illustrate the first series for the line. The Black Panel, a comics and entertainment forum I started over a decade ago, is now in development as a TV show as is The Littlest Bitch (Tlb) a book I co-wrote with David Quinn.
David and I first conceived Tlb as a graphic novel on the New Jersey turnpike almost 20 years ago. We were driving home from The Kubert School where I was teaching a master illustration class and David was my guest speaker that day.
- 9/27/2011
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Yes, the Muppets are pushing to win Webby awards in the "Viral Video" Category: http://bit.ly/MupViral and in "Music Video" Category: http://www.youtube.com/webby?x=music
What, you thought that we were pushing for our own books for Harvey Award nominations? Perish the thought.
Although, if you haven't voted yet, since this is the last day to vote, you obviously need some suggestions, so we highly recommend:
Best Writer
John Ostrander, GrimJack: The Manx Cat
Mark Ryan, The Pilgrim
Robert Tinnell and Mark Wheatley, Lone Justice
Best Artist
Dick Giordano, White Viper
Best Cartoonist (Single Writer/Artist)
Mike Grell, Jon Sable Freelance
Trevor Von Eeden, The Original Johnson
Best Letterer
John Workman, The Original Johnson
Best Inker
Frank McLaughlin, White Viper
Best Colorist
Jason Millet, The Pilgrim
Best Cover Artist
Trevor Von Eeden, The Original Johnson
Most Promising New Talent
Johanna Estep, Munden's Bar
Best Continuing...
What, you thought that we were pushing for our own books for Harvey Award nominations? Perish the thought.
Although, if you haven't voted yet, since this is the last day to vote, you obviously need some suggestions, so we highly recommend:
Best Writer
John Ostrander, GrimJack: The Manx Cat
Mark Ryan, The Pilgrim
Robert Tinnell and Mark Wheatley, Lone Justice
Best Artist
Dick Giordano, White Viper
Best Cartoonist (Single Writer/Artist)
Mike Grell, Jon Sable Freelance
Trevor Von Eeden, The Original Johnson
Best Letterer
John Workman, The Original Johnson
Best Inker
Frank McLaughlin, White Viper
Best Colorist
Jason Millet, The Pilgrim
Best Cover Artist
Trevor Von Eeden, The Original Johnson
Most Promising New Talent
Johanna Estep, Munden's Bar
Best Continuing...
- 4/23/2010
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Idw Publishing is unleashing four new horror-infused comic series this month, and we've got the cover artwork and story details for you on all of them!
Kill Shakespeare #1
Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col (w) • Andy Belanger (a) • Kagan McLeod, Belanger (c)
What Fables does for fairy tales, Kill Shakespeare does with the greatest writer of all time. This dark take on the Bard pits his greatest heroes (Hamlet, Juliet, Othello Falstaff) against his most menacing villains (Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago) in an epic adventure to find and kill a reclusive wizard named William Shakespeare. This debut- featuring a full 32-page story - will change the way you look at Shakespeare forever. (2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.)
The Pilgrim #1
Mark Ryan (w) • Mike Grell (a & c)
Artist Mike Grell (Jon Sable Freelance, The Warlord) teams up with writer/actor Mark Ryan (the Transformers movies) in an...
Kill Shakespeare #1
Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col (w) • Andy Belanger (a) • Kagan McLeod, Belanger (c)
What Fables does for fairy tales, Kill Shakespeare does with the greatest writer of all time. This dark take on the Bard pits his greatest heroes (Hamlet, Juliet, Othello Falstaff) against his most menacing villains (Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago) in an epic adventure to find and kill a reclusive wizard named William Shakespeare. This debut- featuring a full 32-page story - will change the way you look at Shakespeare forever. (2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.)
The Pilgrim #1
Mark Ryan (w) • Mike Grell (a & c)
Artist Mike Grell (Jon Sable Freelance, The Warlord) teams up with writer/actor Mark Ryan (the Transformers movies) in an...
- 4/9/2010
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Character actress Zelda Rubinstein was best known for her role in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist. She starred as psychic Tangina Barrons, who’s small stature and childlike voice added more chills to the 1982 horror film about demonic forces at a suburban home. She reprised her role in the two sequels Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist III (1988).
Rubinstein was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 28, 1933. She worked as a medical technician, before embarking upon an acting career in the early 1980s. the 4′3″ actress was cast in the 1981 film Under the Rainbow, and she became an outspoken critic of the way little people portraying Munchkins in the film were depicted. She soon formed the Michael Dunn Memorial Repertory Theater Company in Los Angeles to give acting opportunities to other little people.
Though of small size, she also made a large impression in the films Anguish (1987), Teen Witch (1989), Guilty as Charged...
Rubinstein was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 28, 1933. She worked as a medical technician, before embarking upon an acting career in the early 1980s. the 4′3″ actress was cast in the 1981 film Under the Rainbow, and she became an outspoken critic of the way little people portraying Munchkins in the film were depicted. She soon formed the Michael Dunn Memorial Repertory Theater Company in Los Angeles to give acting opportunities to other little people.
Though of small size, she also made a large impression in the films Anguish (1987), Teen Witch (1989), Guilty as Charged...
- 2/12/2010
- by Harris Lentz
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
For those who came in late: Jon Sable has been hired by a businessman to deliver both a rare, valuable diamond and a beautiful yet troublesome woman from Africa to New York City. He’s done that, he’s back home, and he’s reconnected with old friends and flames.
Last issue, Jon attended Prinsloo’s party for the Maguffin Diamond and, wouldn’t you know it, everyone’s favorite thief Maggie the Cat was hanging out. While Jon and Maggie were back at her hotel getting … you know, reacquainted … someone stole the rock.
Compelled to return to the scene of the crime, Jon is ambushed on his way to keep his date at the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony… and things promise to go much worse for him.
Mike Grell on story and art, John Workman on letters, yours truly on colors and Mike Gold waving a baton.
Last issue, Jon attended Prinsloo’s party for the Maguffin Diamond and, wouldn’t you know it, everyone’s favorite thief Maggie the Cat was hanging out. While Jon and Maggie were back at her hotel getting … you know, reacquainted … someone stole the rock.
Compelled to return to the scene of the crime, Jon is ambushed on his way to keep his date at the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony… and things promise to go much worse for him.
Mike Grell on story and art, John Workman on letters, yours truly on colors and Mike Gold waving a baton.
- 1/6/2010
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
After twenty-two years, Rene Russo is coming back to properties based on comics.
She's joining the cast of Marvel Entertainment's film Thor, taking on the role of Thor and Loki's mom, Frigga, the Queen of Asgard (Odin's wife). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the movie also stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster.
Wait a minute-- back to comics?
Yes, Rene Russo's first acting job was in the 1987 ABC series, Sable, based on Jon Sable Freelance by Mike Grell, playing the role of Eden Kendall, complete with 80s hair. If you've never seen it before, well-- why should we suffer alone? Take a look for yourself. First, here's the credits:
Second, we have part one of the pilot.
After that, I'm amazed she came back, I wouldn't think twenty-two years would be enough time away.
The comic series is much much better.
She's joining the cast of Marvel Entertainment's film Thor, taking on the role of Thor and Loki's mom, Frigga, the Queen of Asgard (Odin's wife). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the movie also stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster.
Wait a minute-- back to comics?
Yes, Rene Russo's first acting job was in the 1987 ABC series, Sable, based on Jon Sable Freelance by Mike Grell, playing the role of Eden Kendall, complete with 80s hair. If you've never seen it before, well-- why should we suffer alone? Take a look for yourself. First, here's the credits:
Second, we have part one of the pilot.
After that, I'm amazed she came back, I wouldn't think twenty-two years would be enough time away.
The comic series is much much better.
- 12/18/2009
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Jon Sable returns in his latest adventure, Ashes of Eden. Sable is hired to deliver a diamond and a girl safely to New York; a simple enough job if the rock wasn't the size of a bomb and the girl wasn't Bashira-- who, of course, is as unbelievably gorgeous as she is completely spoiled rotten. Mike Grell writes and does the art, with John Workman lettering and yours truly coloring, assisted by Shannon Weaver and Matt Webb.
Published by ComicMix and Idw and available at finer comic shops everywhere-- with the really good ones having a variant pencil sketch cover available as well.
Published by ComicMix and Idw and available at finer comic shops everywhere-- with the really good ones having a variant pencil sketch cover available as well.
- 10/14/2009
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Mark Ryan (Bumblebee in Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen) talks with his collaborator on The Pilgrim, Mike Grell, about the times Mike has tried to kill Mark and whether or not it's true that Mike took out a .45 automatic during the contract negotiations with First Comics for Jon Sable Freelance.
Hey, creator ownership wasn't as popular back then as it is now...
Hey, creator ownership wasn't as popular back then as it is now...
- 6/22/2009
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Well, we've been hinting at this for about six months now. Some of you traditionalists have been asking when and how and where and when you can buy printed versions of the ComicMix comics. I'm proud to announce that we have partnered up with our friends at Idw (where GrimJack and Jon Sable Freelance and Mars last appeared) to produce one graphic novel and two comic books each month, starting this fall. Plus hardcovers and omnibuses and such, as the market demands.
O.K., I'm one of those traditionalists as well, and while I love reading this stuff online (particularly on my iPhone), I'm looking forward to seeing them in print. And I'm looking forward to running my typical long-winded introductions in the trades and letter columns -- yet, genuine letter columns! -- in the comics.
So if you'd like to email us a letter for publication, just post 'em as comments to the comics.
O.K., I'm one of those traditionalists as well, and while I love reading this stuff online (particularly on my iPhone), I'm looking forward to seeing them in print. And I'm looking forward to running my typical long-winded introductions in the trades and letter columns -- yet, genuine letter columns! -- in the comics.
So if you'd like to email us a letter for publication, just post 'em as comments to the comics.
- 3/26/2009
- by Mike Gold
- Comicmix.com
For a guy who wrote Iron Man, Mike Grell is a self-described Luddite, constantly at odds with technology. He once claimed he had a steam-driven fax machine. He was constantly amazed at the things I did to his art in Photoshop during my coloring stint on Jon Sable Freelance.
With that, I was amused that he sent me this:
He also sent a note: "Someone Went Through A Lot Of Trouble - Probably Some Poor Bastard Old (!) Artist Who Suddenly Found Himself Having To Learn How To Use A Computer..."
Yes, he types all his email in capital letters. I told you.
With that, I was amused that he sent me this:
He also sent a note: "Someone Went Through A Lot Of Trouble - Probably Some Poor Bastard Old (!) Artist Who Suddenly Found Himself Having To Learn How To Use A Computer..."
Yes, he types all his email in capital letters. I told you.
- 11/22/2008
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Today on ComicMix, we're starting a new story from Mark Ryan (Transformers) and Mike Grell (Jon Sable Freelance, James Bond: 007) that goes places no other story will go, starting from World War II to today's war on terror to realms unknown. It's an espionage story unlike any other, based in historical facts that are almost impossible to believe-- why did Ian Fleming recruit Aleister Crowley for the war effort, anyway?
The Pilgrim is written by Mark Ryan, who has one of the most varied careers you will ever encounter in your life: as an actor, going from originating the roles of Magaldi in Evita and Nasir in Robin of Sherwood to playing Bumblebee in Transformers and appearing with Eric Idle at Carnegie Hall while wearing a green dress; as a fight director, he taught Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard and Clive Owen how to swordfight; as a writer, he's written Green...
The Pilgrim is written by Mark Ryan, who has one of the most varied careers you will ever encounter in your life: as an actor, going from originating the roles of Magaldi in Evita and Nasir in Robin of Sherwood to playing Bumblebee in Transformers and appearing with Eric Idle at Carnegie Hall while wearing a green dress; as a fight director, he taught Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard and Clive Owen how to swordfight; as a writer, he's written Green...
- 11/14/2008
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.